Choice Blog #5 Podcasting Takes Lessons Beyond the Classroom

         "Listening to Themselves" is an article that educates us on the power of pod casting. As we all know technology is finally making its way into the classroom and now it may be following us out. This is a good thing. Pod casts allow the student to download files onto their iPod and listen in on informative lessons, lectures, and even peer discussions. These are real world tools and the students are gaining vital skills due to this method of educating.

          Brent Coley uses Apple iTunes to engage his students. In knowing that their work will be distributed the students are prone to put their best foot forward. They are allowed the chance to show their work in a more public setting. This eliminates the small world feel of the classroom which I believe prohibits students from getting out into the world. By distributing the work publicly at a young age the students have gotten over that hump of breaking off from a private student teacher relationship and are more eager to publish publicly. 

           Coley also uses this tool for group projects. I love using assessable tools like google docs because they allow me time to think, reflect and share information with my piers. Often when I am in a group there is someone that is taking charge and others do not really get a chance to give their part. Giving k-12 students the opportunity to use these tools out side the classroom and organize their thought like I can do in the college setting is an amazing feat. I am eager to use this tool in my classroom to educate students on artists and artwork in a way they will be excited about.